I feel as though I go back to the same topic in most of my writings while coming to the same conclusion in a slightly different way. Perhaps that’s true… And maybe that’s a good thing. I want to express over and over the hope that is in Christ and the radiant joy that comes from knowing Him. My pursuit of this knowledge and joy is ongoing: My prayer is that the updates are helpful.

A few weeks ago, my dad experienced a health scare that resulted in an emergency room visit and a couple weeks of uncertainty. He’s doing much better now, but ever since then, I’ve been thinking a lot about fear, danger, and another topic that I believe will be recurring in the life of this blog – security.

After he got sick, I didn’t know what the future held. I didn’t know how serious the situation was. I was confronted with losing someone who had always been there and everything suddenly felt unsteady. Eventually, he started to improve. A sense of normalcy returned. Yet, I was still anxious. And to be honest, I couldn’t really pinpoint why at first. With this ordeal seemingly in the past, I didn’t see why I would still be overcome with fear.

Jesus describes Himself as the good shepherd (John 10:11). I think over the past few weeks I’ve gained a deeper understanding of this reality. He had to shepherd me through realizing a truth that until this time had not dawned on me with such force: Earthly comforts are not promised. In fact, if there’s one thing we can count on, it’s suffering. Jesus made this known (John 16:33), but at the same time, He gave us one of the greatest comforts of all – “I have overcome the world.” I was deeply affected by the thought of losing a loved one, but my eyes were opened further.

I began to think about all the comfort, security and belonging that I’ve sought in sources other than God, and initially, I was overwhelmed. I thought I had pinpointed those things already. But the ground that I had apparently been standing on for a long time was shifting beneath my feet, and I knew there were still worldly things I hadn’t yet surrendered. I needed a solid rock on which I could stake my life. Something permanent. Something eternal.

A few posts ago, I talked about how it seemed like everything in my life was being shaken. But one thing I didn’t mention is perhaps the most persistent question that has come with it. Lately I’ve found myself asking: Is there a place for me? A place where I can be free from danger and where I can rest without fear? Jesus has given the answer in John 14: 2-3. It’s yes:

In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, so that where I am you may be also.

The glorious truth is that we can look forward to this sanctuary later and experience a refuge now.

When loneliness comes. When persecution comes. When the pain of sickness and death comes. When we feel struck down in every way and it appears that we’ve been stranded in the open with nowhere to hide – we are never alone. There is a place for us to bank on in Heaven. And there is a place of peace we can enter today. A place of communion with God Himself. A place of assurance that nothing can separate us from His love that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:39). And if nothing can separate us from His love, then what can the world do to us? In the only way that truly matters, nothing. There is place for us and it’s not going anywhere.

What I’ve learned is that God is the greatest provider. He will never desert me in times of trouble. I haven’t reached my Father’s house yet and will certainly be faced with difficulties along the way, but there is always a place of safety in His presence where I can run, knowing that I will be secure there forever.

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:1-3